The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, connection, and peace, but for many, it can also be a time of stress, tension, and unresolved conflicts. If you’re finding it challenging to navigate the season with peace, consider this: the key to peace during the holidays isn’t just about managing external pressures. It starts with walking in the light—living in a way that reflects the love, grace, and forgiveness of God.

In 1 John 1:7, we’re encouraged to walk in the light: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” Walking in the light means living transparently, freely, and forgivingly, and it’s this path that can guide us to true peace during the holiday season.

How can you walk this path this season?

1. Embrace God’s Forgiveness for Yourself

The first step toward peace is to accept the forgiveness God offers through Jesus. If you’re holding onto guilt or shame, it’s hard to walk in peace. The holidays can stir up feelings of inadequacy or regret, especially when we reflect on past mistakes or strained relationships. But when we walk in the light, we acknowledge God’s forgiveness over our lives, recognizing that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

When you embrace God’s forgiveness, it opens the door for you to experience His peace—allowing you to enjoy the holiday season without the weight of past mistakes holding you back.

2. Forgive Others to Find True Peace

Walking in the light isn’t just about receiving forgiveness; it’s also about giving it. It can be especially difficult to forgive during the holidays when tensions are high and old wounds are resurfacing. But forgiveness is essential if you want to find peace during the holidays.

In Ephesians 4:32, Paul urges us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing wrong behavior, but it’s about releasing the hold that hurt and anger have on you. When you forgive, you walk in the light of God’s grace, and that light brings peace, even in difficult relationships.

3. Reflect the Light in Your Relationships

When you walk in the light, your actions naturally reflect the love and peace of Christ to those around you. The holidays are a time for family gatherings, friendships, and community, and how you interact with others can either reflect the light of Christ or cause further division.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As you walk in the light, your words, your attitude, and your forgiveness will radiate peace into your relationships, creating an environment where love and understanding can flourish.

Walking in the light isn’t just about following a set of rules; it’s about living in a way that reflects the heart of God, a heart full of grace, truth, and forgiveness. As you walk in the light this holiday season, you’ll find that true peace isn’t about perfect circumstances or avoiding conflict. It’s about allowing God’s light to shine in you and through you, bringing peace that surpasses understanding to every part of your life